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Afghanistan

Latest news and updates on Afghanistan, China relations and the Taliban's return to power after the 20-year war with the US and allies.

Capital

Kabul

Head of state

Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada

Head of government

Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada

People protest at Los Angeles International Airport in June, on the first day of the Trump administration’s full ban against travel from 12 countries and a partial ban on seven others. Photo: AFP

Donald Trump

Trump expands US travel ban and restrictions to include another 20 countries

The clampdown affects people seeking to travel to the US as visitors as well as those hoping to emigrate there.

17 Dec 2025 - 4:53PM

Hong Kong stock market

China grid-equipment maker Sieyuan eyes Hong Kong listing after 665% surge

17 Dec 2025 - 6:00AM

Pakistan

India wary as US backs Pakistan with F-16 upgrades and mineral projects

16 Dec 2025 - 3:16PM

China-Africa relations

‘Concrete symbols’: China-built Ecowas HQ latest infrastructure gift to Africa

Beijing’s strategy to project influence through gifting prestigious presidential palaces and parliamentary buildings labelled ‘unique’.

13 Dec 2025 - 5:53PMvideocam

Chinese ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai with Dr Omar Touray, president of the Ecowas Commission, in Abuja on December 4. Du visited the US$32 million China-built Ecowas headquarters in the Nigerian capital.
Photo: X/YDunhai

Pakistan

Opinion | How Pakistan’s rising confidence could shape a cooperative South Asia

If Gulf investment, Chinese strategic interest and Pakistani willingness align, the region could shift from confrontation to collaboration.

12 Dec 2025 - 5:30AMvideocam

Africa

Opinion | How China can help Africa build human capital

To truly harness their potential, countries across the continent seeking to industrialise must develop education and infrastructure in tandem.

9 Dec 2025 - 5:47PMvideocam

Diplomacy

Opinion | How China can ensure Tazara rail deal in Africa is a win-win

The Chinese-funded rail upgrade benefits Tanzania and Zambia while securing China a trade corridor and access to critical African minerals.

7 Dec 2025 - 5:38PMvideocam

The Tanzania-Zambia railway in the Tanzania Mbeya region. Photo: Shutterstock

Pakistan

5 killed in latest clash at Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossing

Each side has accused the other of launching ‘unprovoked’ attacks at the crossing between Chaman and Spin Boldak, in southern Afghanistan.

6 Dec 2025 - 7:52PM

United States

‘America First’ reimagined: new Trump strategy readjusts US global presence

The strategy shifts US foreign policy from its traditional global role, prioritising dominance in the Western Hemisphere and ending mass migration.

5 Dec 2025 - 8:45PM

Myanmar

Myanmar’s opium poppy growing at 10-year high amid civil war, turmoil

Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan as the world’s main known source of illicit opium.

3 Dec 2025 - 4:59PM

Myanmar residents displaced by conflict work in an illegal poppy field in February. Photo: AFP

Central Asia

Afghan boy, 13, executes family’s killer in echoes of worst days of Taliban rule

The public execution, the 11th carried out since the Taliban seized power in 2021, has drawn global condemnation.

3 Dec 2025 - 1:51PM

A Taliban policeman looks on as a crowd heads toward a stadium to attend the public execution on Tuesday. Photo: AP

United States

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

3 Dec 2025 - 10:16AM

Gun violence in the US

National Guard shooting suspect pleads not guilty to murder from hospital bed

The judge ordered Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, held in custody without bond, citing the ‘sheer terror’ of the fatal ambush in Washington.

3 Dec 2025 - 6:37AM

China manufacturing

Factory of factories: China’s manufacturers join wave of overseas expansions

With many of their clients moving or building sites abroad, China’s factory owners are following suit, seizing a ‘last chance’ for new revenues.

11 Dec 2025 - 11:20AMvideocam

Banking & finance

Healthcare and tech to drive Asia-Pacific private equity deals amid slower growth

Asia-Pacific private equity managers are forecasting higher returns and fewer geopolitical risks than peers elsewhere, a new survey finds.

2 Dec 2025 - 2:00PM

Healthcare is one of the sectors expected to drive private equity deals in 2026. Photo: Shutterstock

United States

National Guard shooting suspect was ‘radicalised in US’, Noem says

Authorities believe Afghan immigrant embraced extremism after arriving in the US in 2021, leading to last week’s attack in Washington.

1 Dec 2025 - 3:48PM

United States

US halts asylum cases after troop killing as Trump steps up migrant crackdown

A US official says the immigration agency will ensure ‘every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible’.

29 Nov 2025 - 11:20AM

United States

National Guard shooting suspect faces murder charge after 1 soldier dies

Sarah Beckstrom, who was shot in the alleged attack by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was described by Trump as ‘outstanding in every single way’.

29 Nov 2025 - 7:48AM

Rahmanullah Lakanwal is the suspect in the shooting of two US National Guard members. Photo: Reuters

United States

Trump vows to freeze migration from ‘Third World Countries’ after Washington attack

US president’s announcement follows the death of a National Guard member who was shot by an Afghan national.

28 Nov 2025 - 7:10PM

Gun violence in the US

Trump orders review of immigrant visas after National Guard attack

The sweeping new policy follows Wednesday’s attack in Washington by an Afghan national that has caused one death.

28 Nov 2025 - 11:46AM

Gun violence in the US

National Guard member dies as Afghan attacker’s past CIA link emerges

Shooting suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal is a former member of a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit who entered the US under a special programme.

28 Nov 2025 - 10:13AM

Pictures of National Guard members Andrew Wolfe and Sarah Beckstrom, who were shot on November 26 in Washington, next to a picture of the suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal. Photo: Reuters

Central Asia

3 Chinese citizens killed in Tajik-Afghan border clash

Tajik officials claim the workers were killed in a drone and gun attack from Afghanistan, raising tensions in Tajikistan’s volatile border region.

27 Nov 2025 - 9:47PM

Ruins of Ancient Penjikent in Tajikistan along the the Zarafshan-Karakum Corridor. Photo: Shutterstock

Pakistan

Can mediators prevent war between Afghanistan, Pakistan as tensions spike?

Prolonged proxy warfare could create space for terrorist groups such as Isis-K to regenerate and plot overseas attacks, analysts warn.

27 Nov 2025 - 5:36PMvideocam

India

India, Afghanistan close ranks against Pakistan, marking South Asia power shift

Direct air cargo links reflect New Delhi’s efforts to reassert influence and could help Kabul reduce dependence on Islamabad, analysts say.

26 Nov 2025 - 6:50PMvideocam

Alibaba

Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for Chinese goods surges

The logistics arm of Alibaba is rolling out its small-parcel service in more parts of Africa to tap growing demand for made-in-China goods.

24 Nov 2025 - 8:50PM

Cainaio is expanding in Africa to tap surging demand for made-in-China goods. Photo: Alibaba

Mainland China

China’s power equipment firms ride AI boom amid demand from US, emerging markets

Chinese suppliers gain from US shortfalls and megaprojects in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

24 Nov 2025 - 3:40PM

Chinese power grid equipment manufacturers are propped up by megaprojects in emerging markets. Photo: Xinhua

Pakistan

3 Pakistani security officers killed in suicide bombing near Afghan border

One attacker detonated his explosives at the main gate of the paramilitary headquarters while a second was shot and killed in its compound.

24 Nov 2025 - 4:48PMvideocam

Banking & finance

Opinion | Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai: the rise of the ‘family office triangle’

The Asian century will not be written by governments alone but by family offices that can turn opportunity into enduring prosperity.

19 Nov 2025 - 4:30PM

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Afghanistan

Trump expands US travel ban and restrictions to include another 20 countries

The clampdown affects people seeking to travel to the US as visitors as well as those hoping to emigrate there.

China grid-equipment maker Sieyuan eyes Hong Kong listing after 665% surge

India wary as US backs Pakistan with F-16 upgrades and mineral projects

‘Concrete symbols’: China-built Ecowas HQ latest infrastructure gift to Africa

Beijing’s strategy to project influence through gifting prestigious presidential palaces and parliamentary buildings labelled ‘unique’.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | How Pakistan’s rising confidence could shape a cooperative South Asia

If Gulf investment, Chinese strategic interest and Pakistani willingness align, the region could shift from confrontation to collaboration.

Opinion | How China can help Africa build human capital

To truly harness their potential, countries across the continent seeking to industrialise must develop education and infrastructure in tandem.

Opinion | How China can ensure Tazara rail deal in Africa is a win-win

The Chinese-funded rail upgrade benefits Tanzania and Zambia while securing China a trade corridor and access to critical African minerals.

5 killed in latest clash at Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossing

Each side has accused the other of launching ‘unprovoked’ attacks at the crossing between Chaman and Spin Boldak, in southern Afghanistan.

‘America First’ reimagined: new Trump strategy readjusts US global presence

The strategy shifts US foreign policy from its traditional global role, prioritising dominance in the Western Hemisphere and ending mass migration.

Myanmar’s opium poppy growing at 10-year high amid civil war, turmoil

Myanmar has overtaken Afghanistan as the world’s main known source of illicit opium.

Afghan boy, 13, executes family’s killer in echoes of worst days of Taliban rule

The public execution, the 11th carried out since the Taliban seized power in 2021, has drawn global condemnation.

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

National Guard shooting suspect pleads not guilty to murder from hospital bed

The judge ordered Rahmanullah Lakanwal, 29, held in custody without bond, citing the ‘sheer terror’ of the fatal ambush in Washington.

Factory of factories: China’s manufacturers join wave of overseas expansions

With many of their clients moving or building sites abroad, China’s factory owners are following suit, seizing a ‘last chance’ for new revenues.

Healthcare and tech to drive Asia-Pacific private equity deals amid slower growth

Asia-Pacific private equity managers are forecasting higher returns and fewer geopolitical risks than peers elsewhere, a new survey finds.

National Guard shooting suspect was ‘radicalised in US’, Noem says

Authorities believe Afghan immigrant embraced extremism after arriving in the US in 2021, leading to last week’s attack in Washington.

US halts asylum cases after troop killing as Trump steps up migrant crackdown

A US official says the immigration agency will ensure ‘every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible’.

National Guard shooting suspect faces murder charge after 1 soldier dies

Sarah Beckstrom, who was shot in the alleged attack by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was described by Trump as ‘outstanding in every single way’.

Trump vows to freeze migration from ‘Third World Countries’ after Washington attack

US president’s announcement follows the death of a National Guard member who was shot by an Afghan national.

Trump orders review of immigrant visas after National Guard attack

The sweeping new policy follows Wednesday’s attack in Washington by an Afghan national that has caused one death.

National Guard member dies as Afghan attacker’s past CIA link emerges

Shooting suspect Rahmanullah Lakanwal is a former member of a CIA-backed Afghan Army unit who entered the US under a special programme.

3 Chinese citizens killed in Tajik-Afghan border clash

Tajik officials claim the workers were killed in a drone and gun attack from Afghanistan, raising tensions in Tajikistan’s volatile border region.

Can mediators prevent war between Afghanistan, Pakistan as tensions spike?

Prolonged proxy warfare could create space for terrorist groups such as Isis-K to regenerate and plot overseas attacks, analysts warn.

India, Afghanistan close ranks against Pakistan, marking South Asia power shift

Direct air cargo links reflect New Delhi’s efforts to reassert influence and could help Kabul reduce dependence on Islamabad, analysts say.

Alibaba’s Cainiao expands service in Africa as demand for Chinese goods surges

The logistics arm of Alibaba is rolling out its small-parcel service in more parts of Africa to tap growing demand for made-in-China goods.

China’s power equipment firms ride AI boom amid demand from US, emerging markets

Chinese suppliers gain from US shortfalls and megaprojects in Latin America, Asia and the Middle East.

3 Pakistani security officers killed in suicide bombing near Afghan border

One attacker detonated his explosives at the main gate of the paramilitary headquarters while a second was shot and killed in its compound.

Opinion | Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai: the rise of the ‘family office triangle’

The Asian century will not be written by governments alone but by family offices that can turn opportunity into enduring prosperity.

Opinion | How Pakistan’s rising confidence could shape a cooperative South Asia